Ignition switch problems, maybe?

[Jon Green]

The saga continues,

the car sometimes starts, often doesn't.

Thought it was a faulty starter solenoid, fitted the rebuilt starter last night & no difference.

The solenoid was bad, so that is one less thing to worry about.
Now I have problems with the feed wire to the solenoid itself from the ignition switch.

What can be done? I don't want a different ignition key, can only the switch part of the ignition lock be serviced/replaced?

I'm going to buzz through the yellow wire from the switch to the starter solenoid, if this is OK then the switch is faulty.

The weather is beautiful & I should be out in my car, we only get 10 days of sunshine a year!

Ideas?


Jon
______________
'76 911S Targa

[Jon Green]

OK,

can anyone tell me how to get the back part (i.e. the switch) apart from the ignition key.

Do I have to drill out the 2 shear bolts & remove the complete assy. from the dash?

I don't want to break it, the ignition lock itself is very expensive.

Thanks,
JG

[Ted Stringer]

If your car is like mine, the switch is held on by two screws that are accessable from the back (under the dash). I didn't have a screw on top, but you might. Get the shortest shaft #2 phillips screwdriver you can find to get at the screws. Good luck as it is a pain to get in there!

------------------
Ted Stringer
nuke3@juno.com
'84 911 Targa aka pocketrocket

[NickB]

I took my entire lock assembly off as I don't think I would have gotten the electrical piece off without removing the lock portion.
It was just too tight in there. I was lucky in that the sheer pins were slotted so I just got them off with a screwdriver. I have heard on later cars the slots were removed for security/theft reasons and they have to be drilled out. Hope this helps.

nick
'70 911E

[Ned, NYNA 11]

Jon,
I had the same problem. I would suggest you switch on the ignition and check that you have voltage on the yellow? wire to the starter solenoid at the back of the ignition switch.
Next,check the plug through the firewall that contains the yellow. In my car,I had accidentally half separated the plug from the socket in the firewall.
I pushed in the plug and lived happily ever after.
If it is not the switch or plug you need to continue chasing voltage along the yellow until on both sides of the switch until you find the open in the wire.
Ned Monaghan

[Obin Robinson]

ignition switch problems are a PAIN. you can do what i'm doing..

in the 924/944, the #50 and #21 (working from memory here) current tracks can be switched on to activate the starter. wire in a nice $5 pushbutton and mount it in the cigarette lighter location.

well, i'm wiring it into a race car, i don't care about the "originality" because the car is being rewired. however, i have seen the push-button starter mod done to 911s before. matter of fact, i got the idea from a guy with a 911

in any case, push-button or new switch... good luck!

obin

[Jon Green]

Thanks Gents,

The actual problem was the 14 way connector in the engine bay.

It had cracked from age & heat, the yellow wire was sometimes connected, sometimes not.

The starter solenoid was u/s as well though.

Unfortunately I ordered a new ignition switch as that seemed the most likely culprit, I now have a spare.

What I plan to do is fit a starter button anyway & also fit a relay in the engine bay for the hot wire to the solenoid. I do not want a repeat performance.

Cheers, Jon

[This message has been edited by Jon Green (edited 06-28-2001).]

[Obin Robinson]

Jon,

EXCELLENT ideas. also, i recommend that you hang onto that ignition switch because you never know when you will need it.

good luck!

obin